Also known as 'Tulwar', 'Tulwaur', Tarwar'.

The generic Indian sabre.

It includes practically all of the curved swords used in India; but those of very marked curvature are frequently called by their Persian name, 'Shamshir'. The members of the fighting castes are careful of their swords and go to great lengths to keep them in order. It is a common saying that a really objectionable act is “as disgraceful as having a blunt sword”. The moment the native trooper in the British service is off parade his sword is taken from the scabbard and carefully wrapped in oiled muslin, and hung up so that nothing shall dull its edge. They use a number of sword cuts totally unknown to the European sword exercises. (Baden-Powell Pa. 269,270).

“These are Sikh cavalry – who know not steel scabbards – but wear leather sheaths, wherein the swords do not become blunt and dull – keen, bright and ready, as many a deep and ghastly cut on Sepoy corpses can testify.”
(Majendie, Pa. 153)

The 'Talwar' is the most common sword in India, and the blades vary enormously in size, curvature and quality. The hilts generally have short, heavy quillions and disk pommels. They may or may not have finger guards; some have as many as three. Several other forms of hilt are also used.

Also see 'Tegha', 'Shamshir'.